Polynesian Tiger Mosquito vs Biting Midge (No-See-Um)
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Polynesian Tiger Mosquito | Biting Midge (No-See-Um) |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Aedes polynesiensis | Culicoides imicola |
| Order | Diptera | Diptera |
| Family | Culicidae | Ceratopogonidae |
| Size | 3-5 mm | 1-3 mm |
| Habitat | Woodlands | Underground |
| Diet | Blood Feeders | Blood Feeders |
| Regions | South Pacific islands, Polynesia, Melanesia | Africa, Middle East, southern Europe, Asia |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Polynesian Tiger Mosquito
A dark mosquito with white markings found across the South Pacific islands. It is an important vector of lymphatic filariasis (Wuchereria bancrofti) and dengue in the Pacific. It breeds in natural containers like coconut shells, crab holes, and tree holes.
Did You Know?
Biological control using the mosquito Toxorhynchites amboinensis was attempted in the Pacific, as it preys on Aedes larvae.
Biting Midge (No-See-Um)
A tiny biting midge that is the primary Old World vector of bluetongue virus and African horse sickness virus. It breeds in moist, organically enriched soil and is crepuscular, biting at dawn and dusk. Its northward spread into Europe has introduced bluetongue to previously unaffected areas.
Did You Know?
Climate change has allowed this midge to expand northward into Europe, bringing bluetongue disease to countries that had never experienced it.